The things Izuku did for Alibaba.

Only a few weeks ago did he learn that the hacker was a shut-in. Izuku didn't mind, of course; it would be rude to judge when Alibaba has some serious social anxiety issues and he could totally understand the urge the lock yourself in your room and never come out again. But sometime in between working out with All Might and trying to only be at LeBlanc when Akira wasn't there, Izuku managed to become Alibaba's errand boy, running all around Tokyo to gather whatever weird and rare objects she needed for her project of the day. Today, she sent an ask during lunch for him to pick up a huge bag of Featherman gummies sold only in one specialty shop in Shibuya.

He just hoped Alibaba didn't mind them a little burnt, because Kaachan found and cornered him in an alleyway before he could make his way back to LeBlanc.

"Deku!" Izuku instinctively dodged to the right and another explosion popped over his shoulder. He didn't dare look back, not unless he wanted a face full of fire, and could only hope that Kaachan would stop using his quirk as he ducked into the Shibuya crowd.

He was so tired of this! What did he do to Kaachan to make him hate him so much!? Was Izuku really that bad of a person that Katsuki could hate him with no explanation!? Sure, Izuku had been disappearing a lot and through Katsuki's yelling he could tell the other was pissed about it, but what did Kaachan care!? If anything, he should be glad Izuku's not around to bother him!

"Oof!" Izuku ran face first into someone stepping out of an alley, but instead of falling back, someone grabbed the front of his shirt. He looked up, ready to thank the stranger and keep running, but his mind blanked. It wasn't a stranger. "Ah—"

"It's you," said Akira Kurusu said, still dressed in his school uniform, his cat peeking over his shoulder from inside a carry-on bag.

Izuku flinched out of the older boy's grip, nearly falling again in the process. "I-I'm sorry! Thank you for-for catching me!" He held his hands up by his face, the universal sign of being unarmed. He carefully scanned the crowd. Maybe Kaachan left already…?

No. Izuku flinched again as he heard the familiar popping of Kaachan's quirk nearby. He'd only lost him for a moment. His eyes met Akira's again and Izuku shrunk under his piercing stare. "I-I need to go now… I really am sorry…"

Izuku tried to flee, to hide in the crowd until he could safely return to Yongen-Jaya with Alibaba's goods when a hand held him back. "Are you alright?" Kurusu asked. "You look burned."

He was right; Kaachan had managed to clip him a few times. Izuku forced a smile. "I'm fine!" It would have been convincing had Kaachan not chosen to let loose another round of explosions. Izuku flinched again.

Kurusu frowned. "There's a dinner near here." Izuku blinked at the non-sequitur. "The food's pretty cheap and the owners don't tolerate any misbehavior. Do you… We could stay in there. Until you feel comfortable enough to leave."

Was he… giving Izuku an out? Sure, he'd have to spend time with Kurusu, but even Kaachan wouldn't dare hurt him in a family restaurant. He could wait out the other boy, maybe even ride back to Yongen-Jaya with him if Kaachan was still there after a while.

But… again, he'd have to interact with Kurusu. The older boy still scared him, but… he hadn't ever seen him do anything illegal. Maybe… maybe he was actually reforming while on parole? It wouldn't be very hero-like of him to judge someone trying to reform their life, right?

"I…" Izuku bit his lip. "I think that's a good idea."

Kurusu nodded. "Alright; it's just over here." He led the way.

And Izuku followed him.